Splicer for moving web



July 20, 1 5 G. J. SCHOWERER ETAL 3,195,827

SPLICER FOR MOVING WEB 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 18, 1961 y 1965 G. J. SCHOWERER ETAL 3,195,827

SPLICER FOR MOVING WEB Filed Dec. 18, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS y 1965 G. J. SCHOWERER ETAL 3,195,827

SPLICER FOR MOVING WEB Filed Dec. 18, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 5 m

United States Patent 3,195,827 SPLKIER FUR MQVING WEB George J. Schowercr, West Englewood, and Bernard imon, Irviugton, NJ assiguors to Champlain (Zompany, lino, Roseiand, N.J., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 18, 1961, er. No. 160,169 19 Claims. (Cl. 242-58.2)

This invention relates to splicers, particularly for splicing a web being unwound from rolls for feed to a printing press line or other apparatus requiring a continuous web feed. For convenience the supply roll is here referred to as a mill roll.

Such splicers have already been made which operate under manual control. The expiring web is guided close to a new mill roll, and the latter has adhesive or adhesive tape at its starting edge. When the new mill roll has been brought up to web speed, a contact roller presses the expiring web against the new mill roll, and thereafter a knife cuts the expiring web. This leaves an overlapping piece of the latter, commonly called a tail.

If the tail is long, it causes difficulty as it passes through the press line. However, it is dangerous to operate the knife too soon, because if it happens to cut the expiring web before it is secured to the new web, the splice is missed altogether, and this is very bad because it requires shut down and threading of the new web through the usually long and complex press line.

The general object of the present invention is to improve such splicers, and to provide automatic means for operating the knife promptly after adherence of the leading edge of the new mill roll to the expiring web. Differently expressed, it is an object to keep the tail short, while at the same time guarding against missing the splice altogether.

Automatic splicers have already been proposed. In one form a metal contact area is applied to the new roll and is engaged by contact fingers. This has disadvantages in that the metal contact area may damage the gravure cylinders of the press line. The mill roll may be eccentric rather than true, causing diificulty at the contact fingers. Worst of all, the system is subject to sparking and consequently to fire hazard, particularly in the presence of volatile ink solvents.

Another automatic system has been proposed in which an electric eye reads a marker on the new mill roll. Such a system is expensive, and requires considerable adjustment and maintenance.

One object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing diificulties, and to provide an automatic system which is relatively simple, inexpensive and rugged. It requires no sensitive or delicate apparatus, no fine adjustments, and instead may be operated with great dependability, even with the sensing device spaced somewhat from the roll.

In accordance with a further feature and object of the invention, a first response of the sensing device is used to operate the contact roller, and a second response of the sensing device, when the mill roll has turned another revolution, operates the knife, thereby insuring that severance of the expiring web takes place after adherence of'the leading edge of the new mill roll.

In our improvement, a small piece of magnetic tape isapplied to the new roll, to disturb the magnetic field of a proximity head located near the new roll. The magnetic tape, although exceedingly thin and flexible, may

"ice

a quarter inch from the surface of the new mill roll, with no need for circuitry adjustments or the like.

The new mill roll is preliminarily brought up to web speed by means of speed-up rollers which preferably are mounted on arms so that the speed-up rollers may be moved into or out of engagement with the roll. In accordance with another feature and object of the invention, the proximity head is mounted on the same arms that carry the speedup rollers, so that the proximity head is moved into working position only when needed, and further, the working position of the proximity head is automatically related to the diameter of the mill roll.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, our invention resides in the automatic splicer elements and their relation one to another, as are hereinafter more particularly described in the following specification. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a splicer apparatus embodying features of our invention, with the main frame plates cut away;

FIG. l-A is a fragmentary schematic diagram explanatory of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view drawn to much smaller scale, with air cylinders and other parts omitted;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the proximity head and the panel or chassis carrying the proximity switch circuitry;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic and generally vertical section explanatory of the drive mechanism for the speed-up roller;

FIG. 5 is an air flow diagram showing the air operated cylinders and solenoid air valves for the apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is an electrical diagram for the splicer apparatus.

Referring to the drawing, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the automatic splicer means here decribed is used with a previously known web supply means. The said means includes a support 12 for an expiring mill roll 14, and a support 16 for a new mill roll 18. Referring to FIG. 1-A, the new roll 18 has a starting end 29 with adhesive or more usually adhesive tape 22 thereat. This end is shown away from the roll merely for clarity, but in fact it is secured to the roll by tear tabs which yield or tear readily. The web supply means further includes rollers such as those shown at 24 and 23 in FIG. 1, for guiding the expiring web 26 near the new roll 18, and a contact roller, in this case the same roller 23, which is movable to press the expiring web 26 against the new roll 18, as shown by the change from the broken line position 28 to the solid line position 28.

However, before this is done, and because of the large size and weight of the new roll 18, it is preferably brought up to web speed, as by means of a speed-up roller 36 which is driven at web speed, and which is movable into or out of engagement with the new roll 18. There is also a knife 32 adjacent the contact roller 28, this serving to sever the expiring web when it has been adhered to the new one.

The automatic splicer means of the present invention comprises a detectable element, indicated at 34 in FIG. 1-A, which is adhered to the new roll 18 ahead of the starting edge 20 and its adhesive tape 22. This detectable element 34 is exceedingly thin and flexible and in no way injures the printing press line or other machinery through which the web is being fed. There is also a sensing device 36 which is mounted near the roll 18, and circuitry, described later in connection with FIG. 6, which is responsive to the sensing device 36 when traversed by the detectable element 34.

in the present case the desired motions of the speed-up roller, the contact roller, and the knife, are obtained by means of air cylinders, and. the electrical circuitry of FIG. 6 controls solenoid operated air valves and their air cylinders. The air flow diagram is shown in FIG. 5. In

any case, reverting to FIG. 1, there is a means or air cylinder 40 responsive to a first operation of the circuitry to operate the contact roller 28, that is, to move the ex-' piring web 26 against the new roll 18, and there is another 'means or air cylinder 42 responsive to asecond operation of the circuitry after another rotation of the roll 18 to operate the knife 32. In this way the severance of the expired web cannot takeplace until after adherence of the leading edge of the new web to the expiring web, and yet by appropriate location of the detectable element 34 relativeto the leading edge 20 of which the web is being unwound. Thismay be done by means of an air cooled pneumatic brake, and such brakes are indicated at 84 in FIG. 2.

The web then runs to and'around a web feed roller 86 (FIG. 1). A nip roller or pressure roller 88 bears against the opposite side of the web for accurate feed of the web in response to the feed roller 86. The pressure exerted by roller 88'may be adjusted by mechanishm shown at 90 and 92.

The web then runs to and around another floating or dancer roller 94 mounted on arms 96 which are pivoted at 98. These arms are connected to an air cylinder 100, the connection to the arms being shown'at 102. The cylinder 100 is a diaphragm cylinder in the present case, and it forms part of a constant tension feed unit in mop eration with the feed r0ller S6. The web then runs over the top of a guide roller 104 and leaves'at 106.

It runs through other apparatus, usually though not necessarily aprinting press line, and the constant tension feed provided at 94 and 86 is adjusted to meet'thedemand of the printing press line. This may be done by means of a separate-motorand variable speed transmission indicated at 108 in FIG. 2. Alternatively it may be but in accordance with our invention the coating of magnetic material is preferably much denser than that used for sound recording. A piece of one inch tape only four inches long is adequate for the present purpose. Sound recording tape might be used, but the sensing device and done by means of a line shaft 110 connected to and forming a part of the regular line shaft of the press line, and working through a variable speed transmission indicated the circuitry would have to be much more sensitive, and

would 'lackthe simplicity and ruggedness andabsence of adjustments which characterize the present system.

The sensing device 36 may be a standard proximity head,'and referring to FIG. 1, it is, preferably mounted on the arms 44 which carry the speed-up roller 30. These arms are pivoted at 46, and are movable toward or away from the mill roll 18, as by means of an air cylinder- 48. By mounting the proximity head 36 on the arms 44 it is moved to'av position properly spaced from the surface of the roll 18, despite differences in diameter of the roll.

An extreme example is shown in broken linesin FIG. 1 in which the new mill roll is assumed to be a thin material such as cellophane rather than paper, and is conse-:

roll may be adjusted 'by a fixed adjustable movement of,

an arm 52 which carries the proximity head 36 and which is secured to'one of the arms 44 as indicated at 54. In a typical case, this may provide a space of about inch between the proximity head and the roll, and that spacing is automatically maintained when the speed-up roller engages a new roll, despite differences in diameter of the different new rolls. The system also tolerates eccentricity of the mill roll. V

Considering the apparatus in greaterdetail, the roll supports 12 and 16 are parts of turnover arms pivoted at 60. There are also shorter transverse arms 62 which carry idler rollers 24. (The upper one is omitted in FIG. 1.) core, and insertion and holding of a new 'one. The turnover arms 12,16 are controlledby a suitable motor 68 operating through appropriate worm reduction gearing shown at 70 in FIG. 2. The main side plates of the frame which supports the turnover arms at the shaft 60 have been'omitted in FIG. 1 but areshown at 72 in FIG. 2. e

In FIG. 1 the contact roller 28 is shown in its elevated position. Its retracted position may be far lower, as'indicated in broken lines at 28. It will be understood that as the 'web is being drawn from mill roll 18, the used core of the expired roll 14 may be removed and a new mill roll may be loaded in its stead. At any desired time as the roll '18 is being consumed, the turnover arms may be turned to move the roll 18 to. the right hand position, and at such time thethen new mill .roll is moved to the left hand position now occupied by the roll 18. The retrac- Hand wheels 64 facilitate release. of an old mill roll 30 when they are not being used, .and their use is only .momentary at theftime a splice is being made. For this The web 26 passes from roll 14 beneath idler 24 and around contact roller 28.

It then leads to and passes around a floating or dancer roller 74 carried on ams 76 A tion or downward movement of the contact roll 28 is 7 preferably made substantial in order not to interfere with the transfer of the roll from its starting to its finishing position but, of course, at the-time of, such transferv the roll 18 may be substantially reduced in diameter compared toits initial diameter. I i

The speed-up roller 30 preferably comprises several spaced rollers, as indicated inFIG. 2. This is done so that the. pieces of adhesive (22. inFIG. l-A), and also the piece of; magnetic tape (34 in FIG; 1-A), may be located in clear tracks, that is, without engaging the speed-up rollers 30. The shaft 114 (FIG. 1 of the speed-up rollers is carriedby arms 44 which are pivoted about the axis of shaft46." The drive of the speed-up rollers preferably is taken fromsshaft 46,.so that it may be properly related to the'web speed of the expiring web. Specifically, there is a chain andsprocket drive, with the chain indicated in broken lines at 1 1 in FIG. 1. The linear speed ratio is one to one. i I 1 Referring now to FIG. 4, chain116 is driven by a sprocket wheel 118 and drives a sprocket gear 120 carried on the shaft 1140f the speed-up rollers 30. The chain length is unaffected by oscillation of the arms 44 because the larmsturn about the axis of shaft 46. 2

However, it is desirable not to drivethe speed-up rollers piping shown in FIG. 5 and described later.

. The meansto drive shaft 46 may vary, but is positive in order to'establish proper speed for the feed roll 86 as previously described in connection with FIG. 2, and therefore the drive means, indicated generally at 126, is either a chain or a toothed timing belt or gearing, all of which are positive.

I The operation of the apparatus may be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawing. FIG. 5 is an air piping diagram, and the lines represent air pipes. FIG. 6 is an electrical wiring diagram. There is some overlap, the air operated switch APS being shown in both diagrams, as well as the solenoid operated four-way air valves PR and KN.

In FIG. 5 the air cylinders 46 move the contact roller and the expiring web into engagement with the new mill roll. Air cylinder 42 operates the knife. Air cylinder 48 moves the speed-up rolls into engagement with the new mill roll, and air operated clutch 122 is what sets the speedup rolls into rotation.

In FIG. 6 the proximity head is shown at 36, and its panel or switch chassis at 170. There is a sequence relay, the solenoid or magnet of which is indicated at SR, while its ratchet wheel is suggested at 132. An indicator lamp 130 acts as a warning lamp, as is explained later, and an indexing push button 134 may be used to change the positionrof the sequence relay if incorrect.

A piece of magnetic tape is adhered to the periphery V of the stationary new roll, in a path which will pass the proximity head. The operator checks to make sure that the indicator lamp 131! (FIG. 6) is off, which indicates that the sequence relay SR is in proper starting sequence. The solenoid of the sequence relay is indicated at SR, and its contacts are indicated at SR1 and SR2, one set being closed when the other is opened, in alternation, as suggested schematically by the ratchet wheel 132 connected through appropriate mechanism, not shown, to tilt a rocker arm 133 connected to the movable contacts. If the indicator lamp 13% is lighted, it indicates that the sequence relay is in wrong position for starting, and to correct this the operator need only depress the indexing switch button 134. This operates the sequence relay SR, and so reverses the positions of the contacts, so that the contacts SR1 are open, which extinguishes the indicator lamp 131).

When it is almost time to make a splice, the operator moves the manual handle 136 (FIG. 5) of an air valve 138 to open the said valve. This supplies air coming from pipe 140 through pipes 142 and 144 to an air operated four-way air valve 146, which causes double acting air cylinder 48 to move the speed-up rolls into engagement with the new mill roll. The double line wavy connections shown at 150 and 152 and elsewhere in FIG. 5 merely indicate the use of flexible hoses leading to air cylinders. The air supply controlled by the air operated air valve 146 comes through pipes 140, 154, 156 and 158. The element R is a pressure regulator.

The air supplied through pipe 142 by the manually controlled valve 138 also flows through a pipe 166 to a time delay valve 162. The latter controls air from pipes 141), 154, 155, 157, 159, and 161, which air then flows from delay element 162 to the air operated clutch 122, which, it will be recalled, causes rotation of the speed-up rollers. Part 123 is a rotary air seal at the end of the clutch shaft. Part 180 is a speed control valve to insure gradual starting or engagement of the clutch 122.

The delayed air which engages clutch 122 also flows through a pipe 164 to another air operated time delay valve 166, which after a small further delay, supplies air from pipe 163 to pipe 168 to an air operated electrical switch APS. The delay caused at ldepermits the new mill roll to come up to web speed, which in this case takes about two revolutions of the roll.

The closing of the electrical switch APS energizes the electrical circuitry shown in FIG. 6. The parts are connected across a standard 115 volt A,C. line, indicated at L-1, L-2. The proximity head 36 is connected to a small chassis 171) which acts as a proximity switch, that is, as if contacts 174 therein are closed when the magnetic field of the proximity head 36 is disturbed by the passage of the magnetic tape.

The physical appearance of the proximity head 36 and panel 170 is indicated in FIG. 3 of the drawing, and in the particular case here shown, is manufactured by the Square D Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the head 36 being their type V2, and the chassis 17% being their type QO-3, but modified somewhat for the present purpose. The circuitry of panel 170 is quite simple, it comprising a single amplifier tube, and a thyratron controlled thereby, the latter controlling a relay 174 which controls the sequence relay SR.

The modification of chassis 171) is to prolong the pulse for the greater dependability of response when working with web-s moving at very high speed. This is done by adding two small rectifiers, a capacitor, and a resistor across the input of the amplifier stage.

Reverting to FIG. 6, the closing of the air operated switch APS makes the circuit immediately responsive to the next passage of the magnetic tape. This is so because the two tubes on panel 170 of the proximity switch are continuously heated and ready, as indicated by the conductor 172 connected across the line ahead of the air operated switch APS. On each passage of the magnetic tape an outgoing pulse is delivered by the proximity head, and the contacts 174 are momentarily closed to operate the sequence relay coil SR and its ratchet wheel 132 through another step.

This causes closing of contacts SR1 which energize the coil CR of a relay, thereby closing its contacts CR1 and CR2. The CR1 contacts hold the relay closed, and the CR2 contacts supply current to the solenoid PR. Referring now to FIG. 5, the solenoid PR is the solenoid of a solenoid operated four-way air valve 176, thereby operating the air cylinders 41 which move the contact roll or pasting roll 28 (FIG. 1) against the new mill roll.

After the mill roll has turned one additional revolution the magnetic tape again passes the proximity head, and a second pulse is delivered, which again operates the sequence relay SR. At this time the contacts SR1 open, and the contacts SR2 close, but the relay CR remains closed because of the action of the holding contacts CR1.

The closing of contacts SR1 energizes the solenoid KN, and referring again to FIG. 5, the solenoid KN is for the solenoid operated four-way air valve 173, which controls air cylinder 42. It will be recalled from FIG. 1 that air cylinder 42 operates the severing knife 32 by tilting it up to the broken line position 32, thereby severing the old web. The knife is deeply serrated so that its points readily penetrate, and thus start the shearing of the web.

Referring now to FIG. 1A, it will be seen that because the roll 18 must turn one full revolution between the two pulses produced by magnetic tape 34-, during which full revolution the contact or pasting roll 28 has remained elevated, the adhesive end 22 of the new web is necessarily adhered to the old web, and is traveling with the old web at the time the latter is severed by the knife 32. This prevents missing the splice. There are no further pulses produced by the magnetic tape during subsequent rotation of the new mill roll 18, because the magnetic tape is carried downward around the roll 28, along with the splice. The magnetic tape therefore does not again pass the proximity head 36.

The splice then is completed, and the operator moves the handle 136 (FIG. 5) to close the air valve 138. This removes air pressure from the air operated electrical switch APS, which then opens, and in FIG. 6 it will be seen that the opening of the switch APS deenergizes the solenoid operated air valves KN and PR, and also deenergizes the relay coils SR and CR.

Referring to FIG. 5, the closing of air valve 138 changes the position of the air operated air valve 146, whereupon cylinder 48 retracts the speed-up rolls. Moreover, the clutch 122 is deenergized when the air supply is cut off from valve 162. The contact roll and knife are restored by the return of the cylinders 40 and 42. The

parts then are all returned to starting position, ready for a later splice. The circuitry and the air piping are deenergized, except that the-tubes on the panel 170 in FIG. 6 remain heated, and the air supply through pipes 140 and 154, 155, 156, etc.,.remains available for control by the air operated valve 146, the solenoid operated valves 176 and 178,;andthe delay valves 162 and. 166.

If the operator neglects to close the manually operated air valve 138 (FIG.,5), the indicator lamp 130 (FIG. 6) remains lighted, and constitutes a warning to the operator to do so, Even if long neglected, this would become a warning not to attempt the next splicing operation. However, that is unlikely to occur because, as the roll 18 (FIG. 1) is reduced in diame te-r, thecore of the old exhausted roll 14 is removed and is, replaced by a new mill roll, which then is moved by turnoverarms 1 2', 16 to the position now occupied by the roll 18. The roll 18 is simultaneously moved to the right hand position. The desired transfer of the then diminishing roll 18 to the right hand position would be obstructed by the knife 32 and the roll 28, if these were not previously retracted. This alone would remind the operator of the need to close the air-switch 138. v

The splicing apparatus maybelmade more fully auto-. matic by applying a feeler at the position of the roll 14,

which feeler moves inward and determines when the roll valve 138. QThe remote controlfor this purpose maybe either electrical or air operated.

The apparatus elements used may vary, but as a specific 8 said means functioning regardlessof change in position of the arms, a contact roller movable to press the expiring web against the new mill roll, and a knife adjacent the contact roller, said automatic splicer means comprising a detectable element adhered to the new mill roll ahead of the starting edge and adhesive tapeof'the new mill roll, a sensing devicemounted on the aforesaid arms for movement toward or away'from the new mill roll with the speed-up roller, whereby the sensing device is located at about the same distance from the surfaceof anew mill roll regardless of the diameter of the new mill roll, circuitry responsive to said sensing device when traversed by the detectable element, means responsive to a first to the leading edge of the new mill roll and cannot take I place before such adherence.

2. Automatic splicer means foruse with a web supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a

supportfor a new-mill roll, said new *mill roll having a starting edge withadhesivetape,,means guiding the expiring web close to thenew mill r oll, a speed-up roller movable into or out of engagement with the new mill roll,

example of the particular construction here illustrated, the

a cont-actrr oller movable to press the expiring webagainst the new mill rolLand a knife adjacent the contact roller, said webs being non-magnetic, said automatic splicer means comprisinga piece of. magnetic tape adhered to the new mill roll ahead of the starting edge and adhesive tape of the new mill roll, -a proximityhead mounted near the new mill roll, proximity switch circuitry responsive to said proximity head when traversed by the magnetic 1376A-3001 of Ross Operating Valve Company of Detroit, Michigan, and the air operated four-way airvalve Ross Operating Valve Company and are designated three-. 1

tape, means responsive to operation of said proximity switch to operate the contactroller, and means to operate the knife after a desired predetermined delay following the operation of the contact roller. v V V 6. Automatic splicer means for use with aweb supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a support for anewmill roll, said new mill roll having a starting edge with-adhesive tape, means guiding the expiring web close to the new mill roll, a speed-up roller movable into or out of engagement with the new mill roll,

' acontact roller movable to press the expiring web against way (NC) 13533-3002. The speed control valve 180 is a Hannifin series'S-37 speed control valve.

The magnetic tapeis made by Ferrodynamics,'Inc. of Lodi, New Jersey. It is one inch wide, and a piece about four inches long is used. It is a special tape made with a more dense coating of magnetic material, say twenty-. five times the. density used for sound recording, and it is designated by that company as their #18-21C.

It is believed that the construction and operation of our new splicer for a moving web, as well as the advantages of the same, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It will also be apparent that while we have shown and described our invention in a preferred form,

of the invention, as sought to be defined in the followin'g claims. In the claims the reference to adhesive. tape is.

tape, applied to the starting end.

.Weclaim: v 1. Automatic splicer means for use 'with a web supply means including a support for an expiring millroll, a support for a new mill roll, said new mill roll havinga startingedge with adhesive tape, means guidingtheexpiring web close to the new mill roll,- movable arms, a speed-up roller carried by said arms andbodily movable into .or out of engagement with the new mill roll regardless of change in newpmill roll diameter, means to drive the speed-up roller to bring the new mill roll up tosp eed,

not: intended to exclude the use of adhesive without a the new mill roll, and a knife adjacent the contact roller, said webs being non-magnetic,v said automatic splicer means comprising a piece of magnetic tapeadhered to the new mill roll ahead of the starting edge and adhesive tape of the new mill roll, a proximity head mounted for movement toward or away fnom the new mill roll with the speed-up roller, proximity switch circuitry responsive to said' proximity head when traversed by the magnetic tape, means responsive to operation of said proximity switch to operate the contact roller, and means to operate the knife after adesired predetermined delay operation of the contact roller. Y I

4. Automatic splicer means for use with 'aweb supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a support for a new millroll, said new mill roll having a starting edge with adhesive tape,,means guiding 'theexpiring following the -web close to the new mill roll, a speed-up roller movable 111120 or out of engagement with t-hen'ewmill roll, a contact rollermovable to press the expiring web against the new mill roll, and a knife adjacent the cont-actroller, said webs being non-magnetic, said; automatic splicer means Ncompnsmg a piece of magnetic tape-adheredto the new mill roll ahead of the starting edge and adhesive tape of the new mill roll, a proximity head mounted near the new mill roll,.proximity switch circuitry responsive to said proximity head when traversedby the J magnetic tape, means responsive to a first -operationof-said proximity switch to-opei'ate the contact roller, and means'respom sive to .a second operation of said proximity switch when the proximity head is again traversed by the magnetic tape upon another rotation of the new mill roll to operate the knife.

5. Automatic splicer means for use with a web supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a support for a new mill roll, said new mill roll having a starting edge with adhesive tape, means guiding the expiring web close to the new mill roll, a speed-up roller movable into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, a contact roller movable to press the expiring web against the new mill roll, and a knife adjacent the contact roller, said webs being non-magnetic, said automatic splicer means comprising .a piece of magnetic tape adhered to the new mill roll ahead of the starting edge and adhesive tape of the new mill roll, a proximity head mounted for movement toward or away from the new mill roll with the speed-up roller, proximity switch circuitry responsive to said proximity head when traversed by the magnetic tape, means responsive to a first operation of said proximity switch to operate the contact roller, and means responsive to a second operation of said proximity switch when the proximity head is again traversed by the magnetic tape upon another rotation of the new mill roll to operate the knife, whereby severance of the expiring web takes place promptly after adherence to the leading edge of the new mill roll and cannot take place before such adherence.

6. Automatic splicer means for use with a web supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a support for a new mill roll, said new mill roll having a starting edge with adhesive tape, a speed-up roller and an air cylinder for moving the same into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, a contact roller and an air cylinder for moving the same to press the expiring web against the new mill roll, a knife and an air cylinder for moving the same into engagement with the expiring web, a detectable element adhered .to the new mill roll, ahead of the starting edge, the expiring web having no such detectable element, a sensing device mounted near the new mill roll for sensing the passage of the detectable element on the mill roll, an air valve to start the splicing operation by moving the speed-up roller into engagement with the new mill roll, an air delay valve'to energize electrical circuitry after speeding up of the new mill roll, said circuitry being responsive to said sensing device to operate solenoid air valve mechanism controlling the air cylinder of the contact roller and of the knife.

-7. Automatic splicer means for use with a web supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a support for a new mill roll, said new mill roll having a starting edge with adhesive tape, a speed-up roller and an air cylinder for moving the same into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, a clutch for driving the speed-up roller, a contact roller and an air cylinder for moving the same to press the expiring web against the new mill roll, a knife and an air cylinder for moving the same into engagement with the expiring web, a detectable element adhered to the new mill roll ahead of the starting edge, a sensing device mounted near the new mill roll, an air valve to start the splicing operation by moving the speed-up roller into engagement with the new mill roll, an air delay valve to engage the clutch to drive the speedup roller, and a second air delay valve in series with the first to energize electrical circuitry after speeding up of the new mill roll, said circuitry being responsive to said sensing device to operate solenoid air valve mechanism controlling the air cylinder of the contact roller and of the knife.

8. Automatic splicer means for use with a web supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a support for a new mill roll, said new mill roll having a starting edge with adhesive tape, a speed-up roller and an air cylinder for moving the same into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, a contact roller and 10 an air cylinder for moving the same to press the expiring web again-st the new mill roll, a knife and an air cylinder for moving the same into engagement with the expiring web, a detectable element adhered to the new mill rollahead of the starting edge, a sensing device mounted near the new mill roll, an air valve to start the splicing operation by moving the speedup roller into engagement with the new mill roll, an air delay valve to energize electrical circuitry after speeding up of the new mill roll, said circuitry being responsive to said sensing device, means responsive to the first operation of said circuitry to operate the solenoid air valve of the air cylinder for the contact roller, and means responsive to a second operation of said circuitry upon another rotation of the new mill roll to operate the solenoid air valve of the air cylinder for the knife.

9. Automatic splicer means for use with a web supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a support for a new mill roll, said new mill roll having a starting edge with adhesive tape, a speed-up roller and an air cylinder for moving the same into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, a clutch for driving the speed-up roller, a contact roller and an air cylinder for moving the same to press the expiring web against the new mill roll, a knife and an air cylinder for moving the same into engagement with the expiring web, a detectable element adhered to the new mill roll ahead of the starting edge, a sensing device mounted near the new mill roll, an air valve to star-t the splicing operation by moving the speed-up roller into engagement with the new mill roll, an air delay valve to engage the clutch to drive the speed-up roller, a second air delay valve in series with the first to energize electrical circuitry after speeding up of the new mill roll, said circuitry being responsive to said sensing device, means responsive to the first operation of said circuitry to operate the solenoid air valve of the air cylinder for the contact roller, and means responsive to a second operation of said circuitry upon another rotation of the new mill roll to operate the solenoid air valve of the air cylinder for the knife.

It An automatic splicer means as defined in claim 6 in which the detectable element is a piece of magnetic tape, and in which the sensing device is a proximity head connected to a proximity switch for response to passage of the magnetic tape.

11. An automatic splicer means as defined in claim 8 in which the detectable element is a piece of magnetic tape, and in which the sensing device is a proximity head connected to a proximity switch for response to passage of the magnetic tape.

12. An automatic splicer means as defined in claim 1, in which the speed-up roller is mounted on movable arms for the desired movement into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, and in which the sensing device is mounted on one of said movable arms for movement with the speed-up roller toward or away from the mill roll.

13. An automatic splicer means as defined in claim 6, in which the speed-up roller is mounted on movable arms for the desired movement into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, and in which the sensing device is mounted on one of said movable arms for movement with the speed-up roller toward or away from the mill roll.

14. An automatic splicer means as defined in claim 2, in which the speed-up roller is mounted on movable arms for the desired movement into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, and in which the proximity head is mounted on one of said movable arms for movement with the speed-up roller toward or away from the mill roll.

15. An automatic splicer means as defined in claim 4, in which the speed-up roller is mounted on movable arms for the desired movement into or out of engagement with the new mill roll, and in which the proximity head 11 is mountedon one of said movable arms for movement with the speed-up roller, toward or away from the mill roll.

1-6. An automatic splicer means as defined claim], in which the speed-up roller is mounted on,movable 17. An automatic splicer means as defined in claim 2, in which the supports for the expiring and the new mill rolls are turnover arms forming a part of a turnover roll stand, and in which the, speedup roller'and knife are appropriately located relative to the parts of the turnover roll stand. p 7

18. Automatic splicer means for use with a web supply means including .a support I'for -an expiring mill roll; a support for a new mill roll, said new mill roll having a starting edge with adhesive tape, and means to press the expiring web against the new mill roll and to cut the,

expiring ,web, said webs being non-magnetic, said automatic spli cer means comprising a piece of magnetic tape adhered to the new mill roll, a proximity head mounted near the new mill roll, proximity switch circuitry responsive .to said proximity head when traversed by themagnetic tape, and means controlled by said proximity switch to oper-atethe aforesaid ing web.

19. Automatic splicer means for use with a web supply means including a support for an expiring mill roll, a support for a new mill roll, said new mill roll having a meanst-o press and cut the expirstarting ledge withradhesive tape, means guiding the ex-.

piring web close to the new millroll, movable arms, a

speed-up roller carried by said arms'and bodily movable into or out of engagement with the new mill roll regard- 5 less of change in. new mill roll diameter, means to drive the speed-up roller to bring thenew mill roll up to speed, said means functioning regardless of change in position of the arms, a contact roller movable to press the expiring web against the. new mill roll, and-a knife adjacent the 10 contact roller, said automatic splicermeans comprising a detectable element adhered to the new mill roll ahead of the starting edge and adhesive tape of the new mill roll, -a sensing device mounted on said arms for bodily movement with the speed-up roller toward or away from 5 the new mill roll, whereby the sensing device'i-s located,

at about the same distance from the surface of a new millroll regardless of the diameter of thenew millr-oll; and circuitry responsiveto said sensing device when traversed by the detectable element to initiate operation 20 of the aforesaid elements of; the splicer mechanism.

; Relfei'ences Cited by the Examiner 7 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 25 2,165,026 7/39 Bernard 242'-58.2 2,217,897 10/40 Freemanv 242,-583 2,386,344 10/45 Roesen 242-582 2,873,073 2/59 Lekas 24255.12 2,898,056 8/59 7 Triquet 24258.2

RUSSELL c. MADER, PrimaryExaminer.

. MERVIN STEIN, Examiner. 

1. AUTOMATIC SPLICER MEANS FOR USE WITH A WEB SUPPLY MEANS INCLUDING A SUPPORT FOR AN EXPIRING MILL ROLL, AW SUPPORT FOR A NEW MILL ROLL, SAID NEW MILL ROLL HAVING A STARTING EDGE WITH ADHESIVE TAPE, MEANS GUIDING THE EXPIRING WEB CLOSE TO THE NEW MILL ROLL, MOVABLE ARMS, A SPEED-UP ROLLER CARRIED BY SAID ARMS AND BODILY MOVABLE INTO OR OUT OF ENGAGEMENT WITH THE NEW MILL ROLL REGARDLESS OF CHANGE IN NEW MILL ROLL DIAMETER, MEANS TO DRIVE THE SPEED-UP ROLLER TO BRING THE NEW MILL ROLL UP TO SPEED, SAID MEANS FUNCTIONING REGARDLESS OF CHANGE IN POSITION OF THE ARMS, A CONTACT ROLLER MOVABLE TO PRESS THE EXPIRING WEB AGAINST THE NEW MILL ROLL, AND A KNIFE ADJACENT THE CONTACT ROLLER, SAID AUTOMATIC SPLICER MEANS COMPRISING A DETECTABLE ELEMENT ADHERED TO THE NEW MILL ROLL AHEAD OF THE STARTING EDTE AND ADHESIVE TAPE OF THE NEW MILL ROLL, A SENSING DEVICE MOUNTED ON THE AFORESAID ARMS FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD OR AWAY FROM THE NEW MILL ROLL WITH THE SPEED-UP ROLLER, WHEREBY THE SENSING DEVICE IS LOCATED AT ABOUT THE SAME DISTANCE FROM THE SURFACE OF A NEW MILL ROLL REGARDLESS OF THE DIAMETER OF THE NEW MILL ROLL, CIRCUITRY RESPONSIVE TO SID SENSING DEVICE WHEN TRAVERSED BY THE DETECTABLE ELEMENT, MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A FIRST OPERATION OF SAID CIRCUITRY CAUSED BY SAID DETECTABLE ELEMENT TRAVERSING SAID SENSING DEVICE TO OPERATE THE CONTACT ROLLER, AND MEANS RESPONSIVE TO A SECOND OPERATION OF SAID CIRCUITRY CAUSED BY SAID DETECTABLE ELEMENT AGAIN TRAVERSING SAID SENSING DEVICE UPON ANOTHER ROTATION OF THE NEW MILL ROLL TO OPERATE THE KNIFE, WHEREBY SEVERANCE OF THE EXPIRING WEB TAKES PLACE PROMPTLY AFTER ADHERENCE TO THE LEADING EDGE OF THE NEW MILL ROLL AND CANNOT TAKE PLACE BEFORE SUCH ADHERENCE. 